Why did "Popular People" in 2000s American public schools have less ambition than other groups of students?

[RitzyCinnamonRoll]

I went to typical middle class public school district in a semi rural suburban area during the 2000s.

Most of the male athletes went into the military or blue collar work.

The "Popular Girls" went into nursing, lower level office work, or became SAHMs.

I find it kind of sad that none of the "Popular Girls" from my school became high powered corporate women, scientists, engineers, actresses, or musicians.

I grew up thinking I was capable of being anything I wanted to be.

Was it sexism?

Was it inequality? 

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

What about the unpopular ones?  The nerds and bookish ones?  Did they go on to bigger and better things?

 

[Emergent, RN]

What's wrong with blue collar occupations or staying home to raise your children? My most successful son is an HVAC technician, owns a house, has a wife who stays home with my granddaughters, and they are the most intelligent and well-adjusted children I've seen for a long time.